Between 5th and 7th March 2025, KELIN participated in the 16th Meeting of the Network of African Parliamentary Committees of Health (NEAPACOH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Under the theme “Reposition the Role of Parliament for Implementation of the Unfinished ICPD agenda and Attainment of Universal Health Care” the gathering brought together legislators, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from 23 African countries to discuss strategies in which local solutions can be used to build resilient health systems in Africa.
KELIN’s Nyokabi Njogu spoke on a pre-conference panel organized by Afya Na Haki titled “Breaking the Cycle: Legislative and Judicial Pathways for Advancing Reproductive Justice”. In her contribution, Nyokabi highlighted the work KELIN has done under the auspices of the Litigating Reproductive Justice in Africa (LIRA) programme and gave an account on the use strategic litigation on holding the government accountable for reproductive health violations. Outlining various successes in strategic litigation, she urged the Honourable Members to ensure that judicial victories are translated into legislative and budgetary actions that sustain and expand reproductive justice. She concluded her session by noting that Parliament is a critical cog in advancing human rights of women by stating that “… we count on you not just to pass laws but to ensure that reproductive justice is not just a court ruling, but a lived reality for millions of women and girls.”
Discussions centered on the responsibility of African governments to accelerate efforts to provide equitable access to quality health care particularly for underserved populations such as women and girls; as well as the gaps in implementing the ICPD 30 Agenda.
The role of parliament, was also discussed pointing to the need for enhanced capacity to ensure accountability and advocate for resilient health financing laws was enhanced. At the end of the meeting, the members adopted the Dar es Salaam Call to Action (2025)[NN1] in which they committed to 18 areas of intervention, including incorporating reproductive justice into national legal frameworks, take measures for increased investment into national allocations for primary health, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent Health (RMNCAH), HIV and AIDS and TB, Immunization and Non communicable Diseases as well as to redouble efforts to accelerate progress towards universal health care through primary health care and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
For more in-depth reflections you may refer to Ms. Njogu’s reflections here.
KELIN looks forward to continuing the conversation with stakeholders to ensure that the strategies identified and committed to shall be realized and that the right to the highest standard of health for all is attained.
For more information:
Nyokabi Njogu
Legal Counsel
KELIN
0790111578litigation@kelinkenya.org
[NN1]Link to the attached document
